Heating Safety - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Perhaps the most serious safety concern associated with your gas or oil burning furnace, kerosene heater or wood-burning stove is Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if not detected early. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Hence, the danger with household appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, or even wood. If not properly maintained, these appliances can produce dangerous levels of CO in the home.

Each year in the United States alone approximately 5,000 people are treated for CO poisoning in emergency rooms. This number is probably lower than the total of people actually affected by the hazard because many individuals who suffer from the flu-like symptoms are misdiagnosed and never receive treatment. In 1989, 220 deaths were attributed to CO poisoning from gas-fired appliances.

There are three things you can do to protect your family from this subtle, silent killer:

1. Make sure your systems are correctly installed. - Proper installation is vital to the safe operation of combustion appliances. New appliances are equipped with installation instructions that should be carefully followed. Conform to local building codes as well. Follow manufacturer's instructions to guarantee proper venting as required. And always use a qualified service technician to install combustion appliances. If in doubt, call a technician to make sure your system is correctly installed.
2. Make sure your systems are properly maintained - Have your home's central and room heating appliances, including water heaters and gas dryers checked annually by a qualified service technician. This annual inspection should include your furnace, thermostat controls, automatic safety devices and all other electrical and mechanical equipment. Here are a few other tips:
   • Check chimneys and flues for loose connections, blockages, and corrosion.
   • Subscribe to an annual inspection/tune-up service agreement so you don't forget to have your system maintained on a regular basis.
3. Install one or more UL Certified Carbon Monoxide Detectors in your home. CO detectors measure both high concentrations of CO over short periods of time and low concentrations of CO over long periods of time. Since the effects of CO can be cumulative, both methods of protection are vital. Detectors are designed to sound an alarm before the level of CO in a victim's blood becomes crippling. Beware of low-priced detectors that change color instead of sounding an alarm. These detectors require frequent checking and won't alert you to a sudden buildup of CO in the air. Expect to spend between $35 and $80 for a UL rated CO detector.